We want to make sure that the Forest Service is aware that we are grateful for the trails and faciliites that we have. However, we are not happy with their decision to limit trail riders to designated trails and numbered forest service roads.

 

Below are some key phrases to use when talking about the forest service closures.

 

• Prior to 2004, equestrian use was allowed anywhere on the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests where it was not specifically prohibited (such as on the Appalachian Trail)
• Responsible off-trail riding has minimal and acceptable environmental impact.
• The Forest Service's ban on cross-country equestrian travel is in effect saying that equestrians harm the Forest whenever they go off-trail, and that's just not true.
• If we allow the Forest Service to label our activity as detrimental to the Forest whenever we step off a trail, that precedent will lead to these same off-trail bans on all Forests.  In essence, we are being put in the same category as OHV users, and that is just not correct.
• The BCHA position has consistently been that, if a certain area is not appropriate for off-trail equestrian use (or a particular trail is not usable), we'll agree to a restriction in that area or on that trail.  But a blanket ban on any off-trail use in a Forest , even for areas where there has been no finding that horse activity causes any detrimental impact, is an extremely dangerous precedent.  It labels our activity as inherently harmful to the Forest, both in the Forest Service's eyes and in the mindset of the public.
• There are many trail riders who are very happy with shorter, well maintained trails close to well developed trailheads however, there are also riders who prefer to ride through a more natural setting to experience the "wilderness" and it is these riders that will be most impacted by a cross country ban on horse travel.
• The cross country travel limitation puts an unnecessary ban on back country camping from horseback. This eliminates any possibility of an overnight experience in Georgia's National Forest.
• Reducing the available land for riding forces horses to concentrate on very minimal land therefore increasing the chance of damage to these areas.
• Trail riding will be reduced from the current 865,000 acre
  CONF to essentially an eight foot wide corridor alongf 186 miles of Designated Trails.
• Of the 186 miles, we are instructed that to step even two feet outside of the eight foot corridor “will be a violation of FS regulations”.
• Of the 186 miles, there are sections of trail that “are not up to FS standards and will require “a decision regarding their future use”.
• Of the 186 miles, approximately 56 miles are on the Pinhoti which are out and return rides on the same trail.
• Of the 186 miles, approximately 46 miles are in the Cohutta Wilderness with difficult access and very limited trailer parking.

Sample Letter of Support